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FORTY-FOUR

SABLE

I remember visiting here as a child with my parents when they were requested to come to alumni events.

Once my father passed, we weren’t invited, though.

Every window facing the parking lot is lit up, giving off a golden hue. Music pours out of the doorway and an attendant stands there taking names. The five of us each put on our masks, just like most of the other guests wearing some form of face covering.

The moment we walk into the ballroom, the atmosphere shifts, thick with hesitation. The party inside is lavish, almost surreal, with grand chandeliers hanging low over the crowd. The decorations are extravagant, dripping in gold and crimson that makes the whole scene feel like a masquerade ball from some dark, twisted fairytale.

Everywhere I look, people are dressed in elaborate costumes and masks, their identities hidden behind veils of silk and lace.

Silas places a hand on the small of my back, guiding me through the room. Dayton flanks my other side while Kai and Levi walk behind us. As we move through the crowd, it’s clear we are the center of everyone’s attention. Eyes linger, some curious, others wary, but all aware of the energy we’ve brought with us. I can feel it in the air, like the moment before a storm breaks.

This isn’t the first time we’ve walked into a room together, but tonight, there’s something different. The five of us know Levi did not kill the students on campus. The rest of Greek life is not so convinced.

It doesn’t affect Dayton, though. He breaks away first, heading toward the bar to say a greeting to some of his classmates, I’m sure. I stick to Silas’ hip as he guides us through the throngs of people.

I glance toward Levi, who hasn’t moved far from me, his posture casual but his eyes sharp. He’s scanning the room, taking everything in with a calculated intensity. When his gaze locks with mine, a slow smirk curls on his lips. “You feel that, right? The way they’re watching us?”

I nod, feeling the weight of it, too. “Yeah. It’s like they’re waiting for something to happen.”

“Something will happen,” Silas says quietly. “My father called me tonight.”

Kai stays by my side, his arm brushing mine as we move deeper into the hall. He’s relaxed, leaning into the attention without being overwhelmed by it. His easy confidence draws a few eyes, especially from the girls who hover nearby, waiting for their chance to catch his attention. One girl, dressed in a sleek red gown, bites her lip as she looks him over.

I have about half a mind to bare my teeth at her and begin barking, but instead, I grab ahold of his arm and he leans down and kisses the shell of my ear.

Back off, bitch.

Kai glances down at me with a playful grin. “Don’t be jealous, mahal. All eyes are on you. Not me.” But even as he says it, he makes sure to squeeze my hand to reassure me.

One guy, someone I recognize from a different fraternity, cautiously approaches Levi. “Hey, man. Haven’t seen you around much lately.”

Levi doesn’t respond immediately, his gaze flicking to the room before his attention lands back on the guy

“Been busy.”

The guy chuckles awkwardly, clearly unsure how to proceed. “Right. Well, good to see you out tonight.” Levi gives a slow nod, dismissive without being rude, and the guy quickly makes his exit, understanding that he’s not going to get more than that.

I lean toward Levi, my voice low enough so only he can hear. “You’re gonna scare them off before the night even starts.”

Levi shrugs, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. “Half of them think I am a murderer, anyway. What’s the point in trying not to scare them? Where’s the fun in that?”

“Come on, we should dance. Make it seem like any other normal frat party,” Silas says as he motions toward the dance floor, where groups have already started to gather, the music growing louder and more intoxicating by the minute.

“Lead the way,” I say, feeling the pulse of the bass reverberating through the room.

Dayton reappears, two drinks in hand. He passes one to me with a wink. “Thirsty?”

I take it. “Always looking out for me.”

“Always,” he says with a grin, before turning his attention to the rest of the room. “Let’s see what kind of trouble we can stir up tonight.”

“No trouble,” Silas says.

“Always trouble,” Dayton counters, winking at me.

We move toward the dance floor. Dayton pulls me close first, his hand possessive on my waist as we sway to the beat. His breath tickles my ear as he whispers, “You know everyone’s watching us, right?”

“I know,” I whisper back, leaning into him. “It’s because of Levi.”

“Speaking of my brother, did you like it when he ate your cunt as you swallowed my cock? Because I fucking loved it, babygirl.”

Arousal floods over me again and I curse myself for agreeing to not wearing underwear tonight. After a few songs, he hands me off to Silas, whose grip is firm but more controlled. Dancing with him is a different experience—where Dayton is all playfulness, Silas is intensity.

His gaze never leaves mine, like he’s stripping away every layer I’ve put up to hide behind. When the song slows, his hand tightens on my hip.

“You look incredible tonight, Sable,” he murmurs, his voice barely audible over the music. “Like you own this place.”

I smile, feeling the power thrumming beneath my skin. “Maybe I do.”

Silas lets out a quiet laugh. “You definitely own me.”

We move in sync, like a tether pulled tight but not yet snapping. When he finally releases me, I feel the loss of his touch more than I expect.

Kai steps in next, his movements more fluid and easygoing. We don’t talk much as we dance, but there’s a comfortable understanding between us. His hands are warm on my waist, and I feel myself relax against him, the rest of the room fading into the background.

“I can’t believe this is where we are now,” he says quietly, just loud enough for me to hear.

“Where?” I ask, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.

He smirks. “Here. All of us together. Like this.”

I smile back. Allowing the music to sway me against him.

The music dies down suddenly. Kai’s grip tightens around me as the sound of a glass being tapped breaks through the noise. We all turn toward the center of the room, where Gretchen stands, poised and smiling, holding her champagne glass aloft.

“Attention, everyone,” she calls, her voice smooth and commanding, cutting through the crowd with ease. “I’d like to propose a toast.”

The room is still, all eyes on her. She raises her glass higher, her smile sharp, her eyes scanning the crowd. “To a night of revelry,” she begins. “To secrets kept, and to the games we play.”

There’s a ripple of murmurs through the crowd, and I feel a cold knot form in my stomach. Something about the way she says it makes my skin crawl. Her eyes land on me for a brief second, and I swear there’s something sinister in her gaze, but then it’s gone, replaced by her usual air of superiority.

“To the night!” Gretchen finishes, and the room erupts into cheers, the clinking of glasses echoing through the hall.

But I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this toast than meets the eye. Something about it feels... off. I glance at the boys, and from the looks on their faces, I can tell they feel it, too.